“Music & Words,” the first in a three-concert winter series being presented by the Fisher Center and Catskill Jazz Factory, will be performed Friday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fisher Center’s LUMA Theater, 60 Manor Ave., Annandale-on Hudson.

The concert series, “Classical, Jazz, and Soul: A Musical Offering” is led by multi-genre pianist, conductor, composer, producer, arranger and educator Damien Sneed. He is a 2014 recipient of the prestigious Sphinx Medal of Excellence, presented to emerging Black and Latino leaders in classical music.

“Music & Words” will take audiences on a journey from the spirituals, art songs and poems of Harry T. Burleigh and Laurence Hope, to the melodic chords of Samuel Barber, and the well-known hit songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Leading this musical reflection on the relationship between composer and librettist, Sneed will be joined by Metropolitan Opera soprano Brandie Sutton, actor/writer Karen Chilton, baritone Justin Michael Austin and classical chamber musicians for this debut exploration of the music of 1860 to the 1930s for strings, piano and voice.

Sneed has worked with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Jessye Norman, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Ashford & Simpson. He has served as music director for Grammy Award-winning gospel artists, including Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Kierra Sheard. He also served as musical director for season four of “Sunday Best,” Black Entertainment Television’s award-winning gospel singing competition show.

In May 2015, Sneed was tapped by Tony Award winner, George Faison as the musical director and conductor for the CityParks Foundation’s Central Park’s Summer Stage production of “The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance & Music.” The production included Phylicia Rashad, André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lillias White and Ebony Jo-Ann.

Wynton Marsalis said of Sneed, “A very natural performer who is capable of performing a startling range of music from baroque and classical pieces to romantic warhorses to contemporary gospel songs. In addition to his stellar musical credentials, Mr. Sneed also possesses a sterling heart. ... He is an ambassador for classical and gospel music who brings positivity, optimism and thoroughness to every occasion. His talent stretches across traditional divisions. In the realist sense, he uses his artistry to make our world a better place.”

The other concerts in the series are “The Golden Age of Song” on Saturday, March 17, and “Satisfied Soul: 1960s to Today” on Saturday, April 21.

Tickets for each concert are $25 to $45 each. A subscription for all three concerts is $95 per person.

Call the Box Office at (845) 758-799 or visit fishercenter.bard.edu for more information.